How can the content be arranged for better teaching?
At the heart of PCK is the manner in which subject matter is prepared to be taught. This occurs when the teacher interprets the subject matter, finding different ways to represent it and make it accessible to learners.
This knowledge includes knowing what teaching approaches fit the content, and likewise, knowing how elements of the content can be arranged for better teaching.
It also includes knowing your students and what they need to learn. What do they bring to the table that may help or distract the learning.
PCK represents the blending of content and pedagogy into an understanding of how particular aspects of subject matter are organized, adapted, and represented for instruction
-In Spanish 10 class, students were struggling to speak and apply what they learned. With the use of cartoons, they were able to create comic strips and share them with the class (a hand-on activity got them motivated and they were able to reach the PLO) With programs like goanimate, they recorded their own voices into the cartoons, without feeling shame or put on the spot. Also, the grade 11 recorded their voices in a presentation using sonicpics, which really helped them to speak.
- in science 8 I have realized that students have a hard time differentiating diffusion from osmosis. I now plan my lessons with that in mind to help the students to clarify these concepts. I now do a week long inquiry based project that includes hands-on pieces and presentations. I take more time to think about how I explain the differences knowing that students often forget that osmosis is water crossing a semipermeable membrane.
- This article comes to life for my practice on number of occasions. I have been working with the same group of students for two years and I feel that Pedagogical knowledge in the content knowledge is important so that as a teacher I know potential areas of the content that may be problematic for my students and I have learned which lessons students have trouble with in a specific assignment so in order to differentiate my lessons for the students in my class I modify and adapt to students specific needs in order to bridge learning gaps